Peanut Butter Cake

My husband started his teaching career in January of 1969.  He began teaching in elementary school, but most of his career was teaching math and science in middle school.  Back then the schools had kitchens.  They had cooks which cooked the school lunches mostly from scratch.  Later the lunches were cooked in a central kitchen and brought to the individual schools.  One of his favorite things was the Peanut Butter Cake they often had for dessert.  I had never made or eaten a peanut butter cake.  One day he got the recipe, and I still make it every so often. He likes it with chocolate frosting, but today I didn't have any cocoa so I had to make peanut butter frosting.  It wasn't my best effort for some reason.  I used natural peanut butter, and I don't think that was the best but it's all I had.  Then I overbaked the cake a little.  The timer on my stove has a very quiet beep, and I didn't hear it right away.  It's a good thing Mike and Dad will eat anything sweet.  If not, the birds will love it.

Peanut Butter Cake

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 and 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 and 1/4 teaspoons soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 and 1/4 cups sour milk (milk can be soured by adding 2 T. lemon juice or vinegar)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream the butter and peanut butter.  Gradually add the sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs.  Sift together the dry ingredients and add alternately with the sour milk.  Add vanilla.  Pour into greased 9 by 13 inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Frost with either Chocolate Frosting or Peanut Butter Frosting

Peanut Butter Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup milk or cream

Mix powdered sugar, butter and peanut butter in bowl.  Stir in vanilla and milk.  Beat until smooth. 

Chocolate Frosting

3 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 stick butter, softened
3 - 4 tablespoons milk (best with evaporated milk or heavy cream)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and add powdered sugar and cocoa with milk.  Add vanilla and beat until fluffy.